In a stunning political development, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), effectively ending the PDP’s two-decade dominance in the state’s political landscape.
Governor Mbah made the announcement in a televised state address on Tuesday, describing the decision as a “bold and necessary step” to reposition Enugu for “greater development and national integration.”
“Today, after long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress,” Mbah declared.
“This decision is about reshaping our politics and securing the future of our people. Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”
The defection, which had been widely speculated for weeks, follows the mass movement of all members of Mbah’s cabinet to the APC on Monday — a move confirmed by his Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh.
In a video shared on Nwomeh’s verified social media handles, Enugu State commissioners and top government aides were seen chanting party slogans and declaring allegiance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh captioned the video.
The officials, in the viral clip, echoed chants such as “Tomorrow is here! It’s APC all the way! It’s Jagaban all the way—from top to bottom!”
The coordinated defection marks a historic political realignment in Enugu — a state that has remained a PDP stronghold since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Political observers describe Mbah’s move as a “strategic calculation” that could strengthen the APC’s influence in the Southeast and boost the ruling party’s 2027 election prospects.
According to insiders close to Government House, discussions leading to Mbah’s defection had been ongoing for months, with high-level consultations between Enugu officials and APC national leaders, including meetings in Abuja.
Mbah, a lawyer and businessman, was elected governor in 2023 under the PDP platform. His administration has focused on infrastructure renewal, digital governance, and public sector reform.
In his Tuesday address, Mbah assured residents that the defection would not derail his government’s developmental agenda.
“Our mission to deliver prosperity, peace, and productivity to Enugu remains unchanged. What changes today is our platform, not our purpose,” he said.
Reactions have begun to pour in from across the political spectrum. PDP leaders in Enugu expressed “shock and disappointment,” describing the defection as a “betrayal of party loyalty.” Meanwhile, APC chieftains have hailed the move as a “defining moment” for the Southeast.
National APC Chairman Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is expected to visit Enugu to formally welcome Governor Mbah and his cabinet into the party.
With this defection, the APC now controls two out of five states in Nigeria’s Southeast, alongside Imo State, further consolidating its regional presence.
